Acquired post-traumatic aortic coarctation presenting as new-onset congestive heart failure: treatment with...

Acquired coarctation of the thoracic aorta is a rare phenomenon in adults. The etiology is often idiopathic, but severe stenosis can develop from prior surgery, blunt thoracic aortic injuries, or severe atherosclerotic/atheroembolic disease. Common symptomatic presentations include refractory upper extremity hypertension and new-onset congestive heart failure. We present the case of a 52-year-old man who developed acquired thoracic aortic coarctation 30 years after a blunt trauma and deceleration injuries to the aorta requiring open surgical aortic repair. He presented with poorly controlled hypertension and new-onset heart failure and was treated surgically with endovascular repair.